Saturday, October 03, 2015

how do we come to the Lord in prayer – v2

How do we come to the Lord
in prayer, in worship?
Do we bow at His feet
or do we raise our hands to Him?

Do we come with open hearts
are we honest with Him?
Do we let it all hang out
do we carry it to Him?

Do we praise and worship
do we even listen?
Do we trust in God
do we really?

----
edited October 3, 2015
how do we come to the Lord in prayer – v2

July 4, 2014
how do we come to the Lord in prayer
Psalm 105:1-6 Common English Bible
Exodus 15:1-3 The Living Bible
Psalm 89:1-18 The Message Bible
Closing Hymn – “As the Deer”
Sermon 2 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Sabbath rest, time with God outdoors, in nature
and sermon, “All My Adoration. . . !”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 29, 2014
&
June 22, 2014
Matthew 6:5-14
“Jesus Teaches About Prayer” (NCV)
(including Lord’s Prayer)
Romans 12:12
Ephesians 6:11-18
Sermon 1 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Ray Foss
-          God fills in the words we pray
based on Upper Room Daily Devotional for June 9, 2014
Romans 8:26 (NRSV)
Romans 8:22-27
Upper Room Daily Devotional
“Guided by the Spirit”
by Milly Ibanda
for March and April 2014
-          spontaneous prayer, wait for God’s answer
(based on Shanequa’s prayer for a puppy July 21, 2006)
opening and welcome by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Stop, Look and Listen”
by Sally Drew
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 22, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Living Pentecost – v3

Our lives are burning, alive
fired from within, the Spirit,
the conviction of our spirits;
The flames of Pentecost living
within each one of us

Our lives are a living Pentecost
afire in the Spirit’s calling, leading,
carrying on our Master’s work
going as He was sent, further,
until the whole world has heard

The grace of our Creator
given as the one perfect offering
the sacrifice of the Lamb
the gentle guiding, leading
of the Spirit living in man

All of us are made worthy
not by our works but by grace
made clean by Christ’s sacrifice;
We are able to come before the Lord
when our work here is done.

----
edited October 3, 2015
Living Pentecost – v3

(editing version 2)
edited June 12, 2014
Living Pentecost – v2
May 21, 2010
Living Pentecost
Luke 7:18-22
Acts 2:1-8
Worship Theme: “Doing a Dangerous Thing”
and sermon, “A Lesson From a Motorcycle Shop”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 23, 2010
Pentecost Sunday
and
quote attributed to Corrie ten Bloom,
“I have a glove here in my hand.  The glove cannot do anything by itself, but when my hand is in it, it can do many things.  True, it is not the glove, but my hand in the glove that acts.  We are gloves.  It is the Holy Spirit in us who is the hand, who does the job.  We have to make room for the hand so that every finger is filled.”
&
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Genesis 2:4b-25
the tension between the two traditions
giving us two creation stories
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Jeremiah 18:1-4
&
via email conversation 12/4/09
with artist and teacher
Carol Childress,
author of blog, “Choosing Joy”,

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Guided by His Fire – v3

Guided by God’s fire
the flames of Pentecost,
our Savior walking with us
the Spirit burning bright

Teaching us God’s ways
leading us in this world
sharing Christ’s message of love
to the ends of the earth

====
edited October 3, 2015
Guided by His Fire – v3

(editing version 2)
edited June 11, 2014
Guided by His Fire – v2
May 21, 2010
Guided by His Fire
Worship Theme: “Doing a Dangerous Thing”
and sermon, “A Lesson From a Motorcycle Shop”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 23, 2010
Pentecost Sunday
and
quote attributed to Corrie ten Bloom,
“I have a glove here in my hand.  The glove cannot do anything by itself, but when my hand is in it, it can do many things.  True, it is not the glove, but my hand in the glove that acts.  We are gloves.  It is the Holy Spirit in us who is the hand, who does the job.  We have to make room for the hand so that every finger is filled.”
&
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Genesis 2:4b-25
the tension between the two traditions
giving us two creation stories
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Jeremiah 18:1-4
&
via email conversation 12/4/09
with artist and teacher
Carol Childress,
author of blog, “Choosing Joy”,

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

to forgive without forgetting – v3

This is a lesson I must learn
if I am to be at peace
too long have I let pain,
hurt hold, constrain me
not letting go of anything
every sharp pain, every dull ache
remaining with me.

A lesson I must learn, first,
to be at peace, whole within my person,
“The first to apologize is the bravest.
The first to forgive is the strongest.
The first to forget is the happiest.”,
Not holding onto pain, sorrow, regret,
letting go of these things.

But maybe even more important
another, deeper lesson, to grow, to live,
to be able to forgive without forgetting
knowing the pain someone caused
yet choosing to forgive them
to let go of the deep hurt, the ache,
including the pain I caused myself.

====
edited October 3, 2015
to forgive without forgetting – v3

(editing version 2)
edited October 22, 2014
to forgive without forgetting – v2
new October 21, 2014
to forgive without forgetting
based on profile quote of
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
“Forgiving is not forgetting; it's actually remembering—
remembering and not using your right to hit back.”
Mpho and Desmond Tutu for the #Forgiveness Challenge
Forgiveness Challenge
The Book of Forgiving
by Archibishop Desmond Tutu
and Reverend Mpho Andrea Tutu
and story of Corrie ten Boom about forgiving former Nazis
&
edited October 20, 2014
a lesson I must learn
edited October 20, 2014
a lesson I have not learned – v2
October 17, 2014
a lesson I have not learned
“The first to apologize is the bravest.
The first to forgive is the strongest.
The first to forget is the happiest.”

author unknown
seen 10/17/2014
post 10/14/2014
on Rachel’s Challenge
and see
The first to forget is the happiest –

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

in prayerful living

in prayerful living
within community
praying for God’s presence
for God’s healing
bridging the gap
the divide between us
answering God’s call
to divine appointments.

------
October 3, 2015
in prayerful living

James 5:13-20
James 5:13-18
“The Power of Prayer” (NCV
James 5:19-20
“Saving a Soul” (NCV)
devotion for September 2, 2015
read September 27, 2015
&
Mark 9:42-50
Mark 9:38-50
“Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us” (NCV)
devotion for September 26, 2015
read September 27, 2015
&
Mark 9:38-41
Mark 9:38-50
“Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us” (NCV)
devotion for September 25, 2015
read September 25, 2015
&
Esther 9:20-22
devotion for September 24, 2015
read September 24, 2015
&
Psalm 124
devotion for September 23, 2015
read September 23, 2015
&
Esther 9:20-22
devotion for September 22, 2015
read September 22, 2015
&
Esther 7:1-6
Esther 7:9-10
Esther 4:14
devotion for September 21, 2015
read September 21, 2015
&
 “For Such a Time as This”
for September 21, 2015 to September 27, 2015
by Timothy James Johnson
Upper Room Disciplines for 2015

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

limiting our movements – v1

limiting our movements
the range of our behavior
censuring our freedoms
to not harm our neighbor
controlling our tongue
the fire within us
seeking to do good
in every situation

------
October 3, 2015
limiting our movements – v1

Mark 9:42-50
Mark 9:38-50
“Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us” (NCV)
devotion for September 26, 2015
read September 27, 2015
&
Mark 9:38-41
Mark 9:38-50
“Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us” (NCV)
devotion for September 25, 2015
read September 25, 2015
&
Esther 9:20-22
devotion for September 24, 2015
read September 24, 2015
&
Psalm 124
devotion for September 23, 2015
read September 23, 2015
&
Esther 9:20-22
devotion for September 22, 2015
read September 22, 2015
&
Esther 7:1-6
Esther 7:9-10
Esther 4:14
devotion for September 21, 2015
read September 21, 2015
&
 “For Such a Time as This”
for September 21, 2015 to September 27, 2015
by Timothy James Johnson
Upper Room Disciplines for 2015

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Do not fight them

Do not fight them
don’t fuel their fire
love your enemies
pray for those who harm you

Do not fight them
diffuse their anger
stand up to the bullies
confront them with love

=====
October 3, 2015
Do not fight them

“Next Day Stretch”
Matthew 5:44-45
Romans 12:19
Ephesians 4:32
devotion for September 27, 2015
read September 27, 2015
&
“Anti-Bullying Weekend”
“Dealing with Bullies”
by K. JO Brown
@Byladykelly
John 18:23 (NRSV)
devotion for September 26, 2015
read September 26, 2015
&
Acts 4:29 (CEV)
“Do It Or Else”
by Danielle Chue
devotion for September 25, 2015
read September 25, 2015
&
Luke 23:34a (NIV)
Psalm 25:16-21
“Love a Bully Today”
by Elaine Creasman
devotion for September 24, 2015
read September 24, 2015
&
1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV)
“What Do You See”
by Misty Butler
devotion for September 23, 2015
read September 23, 2015
&
1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV)
“Bully Beau”
by Doug Rose
and
“Reflect”
by Caitlin Cook
devotion for September 22, 2015
read September 22, 2015
&
Matthew 10:27 (NRSV)
“Bullying Happens”
by Kristin O’Connor
devotion for September 21, 2015
read September 21, 2015
&
 “+anti-bullying”
September 21, 2015 to September 27, 2015
Devozine for September and October 2015
&
Youth Group
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Keeping my clay moist – v5

My humility is not enough
my pride is too great;
Only the living water
God’s gentle touch
the Potter lovingly
keeping my clay moist

Even when my heart is hardened
coaxing, wooing me to Him
that I might have life;
Pulled ever nearer
from the darkness into the light;
Drawing ever closer, nearer yet,
to my Savior, my brother, the cross.

===============
edited October 3, 2015
Keeping my clay moist – v5

(editing original)
edited July 11, 2015
Keeping my clay moist – v4
(editing version 3)
edited June 25, 2015
Keeping my clay moist – v3
(editing version 2)
edited August 10, 2014
Keeping my clay moist – v2
August 24, 2011
Keeping my clay moist
Bible study with Jean Anocibar August 23, 2011
John 5:1-15
The Healing at the Pool
John 5:16-30
Life Through the Son
John 5:31-47
Testimonies about Jesus
&
John 10
the Good Shepherd
&
Jeremiah 18
the Potter’s House
&
Job
remaining humble

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Blueberry Stories – v4

A moment of sheer panic
of a loss, unexpected,
assuaged by the promise
the assertion, the utterance
Oh, she’ll come back,
with “Blueberry Stories”
to share with us

And she will, she told me,
in hearing this story, this tale
of four-year-old fears
of losing their Pastor Lori
in the wilds of the Downeast
the wilds of northern Maine
miles away from us

The departing of the mission trip
now only a day away from this moment
needing the assurance
of her faithful return
to still the trembling lip,
the welling up of her eyes,
on that urgent morning many years gone by.

================
edited October 3, 2015
Blueberry Stories – v4

(editing version 2)
Edited December 24, 2013
Blueberry Stories – v3
(editing original again)
Edited May 4, 2013
Blueberry Stories – v2”
August 12, 2006 15:03
“Blueberry Stories”
On the panic of our then 4 year old,
Shanequa, in the narthex of our church
the prospect of not seeing the Associate Pastor,
her beloved Pastor Lori,
for the week of the multi-generational
mission trip to be with the migrant workers
in Downeast Maine, for the blueberry harvest
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

breath back within him – v2

Life was taken from him
still, no longer breathing;
Breath came back within him
refreshed by God.

God changed his clay
inert, without life;
Breath came back within him
a prayer that he would live.

------
edited October 3, 2015
breath back within him – v3

(editing version 2)
edited September 19, 2015
breath back within him - v2
typed September 7, 2013
breath back within him
June 7, 2013
1 Kings 17:17-24
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
June 3, 2013 to June 9, 2013
“God’s Provision”
by Ruth Ann Tippen
June 5, 2013
read June 7, 2013
&
June 7, 2013
1 Kings 17:8-16
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
June 3, 2013 to June 9, 2013
“God’s Provision”
by Ruth Ann Tippen
June 4, 2013
read June 7, 2013
&
1 Kings 17:8-16
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
June 3, 2013 to June 9, 2013
“God’s Provision”
by Ruth Ann Tippen
June 3, 2013
read June 3, 2013

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

submit to God – v3

We must Submit to God
to His path, to His calling;
We must Give to God
our whole lives.

We must Trust in God
in His promise;
We must Give to God
every decision in life.

We must Go when God
calls us by name;
we must Give to God
our whole lives.

=====
edited October 3, 2015
submit to God – v3

(editing original)
edited October 2, 2015
submit to God – v2
September 17, 2015
submit to God
Proverbs 2:5-6 (NIV)
“Making Choices”
by Adrianne Allison
devotion for September 15, 2015
read September 16, 2015
&
Proverbs 13:20 (CEV)
“Choosing Friends”
by Jake Palomaki
devotion for September 14, 2015
read September 14, 2015
&
 “+it’s MY decision”
September 14, 2015 to September 20, 2015
Devozine for September and October 2015
&
Youth Group
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Hands Raised – v3

Fourteen years ago
remembering it so well
We, newbie’s, 1L’s
Like eagle chicks
Our hands, not mouths,
open, reaching, shouting,
“Call on me, call on me!”
“I know, I know!”
We were all Instant Experts –
Torts, Contracts, Civil Procedure –
First-week butterflies
giving way, wanting to share,
showing that we remembered
some of the Law.
Knots in the belly
Wanting to participate,
“Call on me, call on me …
So long as I raise my arm!”

===========
edited January 20, 2016
Holding onto my Dicta – v2
posted February 26, 2004
November 11, 2002 8:35pm
Holding onto my Dicta
&
edited January 20, 2016
Actors – v2
posted February 28, 2004
written 9/18/01 23:00 to 23:15
Actors
&
edited January 20, 2016
Kontraxtz – v2
posted February 29, 2004
written September 22, 2001 19:18 to 19:40
Kontraxtz
&
edited January 20, 2016
Into the Stream of Commerce – v2
posted March 3, 2004
written 11/14/2002 8:35am
Into the Stream of Commerce
&
edited January 14, 2016
My Memo 1 Sucks – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-memo-1-sucks-v2.html
posted February 27, 2004
written 9/18/01 23:25 to 23:40
My Memo 1 Sucks
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/my-memo-1-sucks.html
(About the first memo in Legal Skills, 1st semester of law school)
&
edited January 13, 2016
Hands Raised – v4
(editing version 3 and original)
edited October 3, 2015
Hands Raised – v3
(editing version 2)
edited June 25, 2014
Hands Raised – v2
posted March 1, 2004
written September 3, 200118:45
Hands Raised
first week at Franklin Pierce Law Center,
now UNH School of Law
&
edited January 8, 2016
Swimming in Molasses – v2
posted February 25, 2004
written September 10, 2001 19:13
Swimming in Molasses
(Thinking about the readings for the Contracts class
of 9/10/01 and the discussions in Torts
last week on wooden use of aged precedents)
&
edited January 8, 2016
Yellow Bands – v2
posted February 26, 2004
written October 20, 2001 22:47
(about highlighting text for class discussions)
&
edited January 8, 2016
Law School – v2
posted February 23, 2004
written 9/3/01 19:25
Law School
edited January 8, 2016
&
Done – v2
posted February 23, 2004
January 28, 2004 22:43.
Written on completion of the Education Law Institute paper,
after 2 extensions. Forty-six pages, 12,000 words, and 335 footnotes.
Done
&
edited January 7, 2016
Citations – v2
posted February 16, 2004
written 9/3/01 18:15
Citations
about first few weeks of Law School
Legal Writing class
&
edited December 31, 2015
Building Blocks – v2
posted February 16, 2004
written 9/3/01 12:30
Building Blocks
&
edited December 30, 2015
First Day – 1L – v2
posted February 16, 2004
8/22/01 22:50
First Day – 1L


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,750+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Harsh Mirror – v4

For those who grab the spotlight
who sit in righteous judgment
feeling they are worthy to
Cast the first stone
against their fellow man,
their sisters and brothers

A harsh mirror, from the carnie,
the fun house, the hall of mirrors,
Distorts their features
They became a parody of themselves
when their own sin is exposed,
shone across the dial, the stations,
the web, the real-time news cycle

How far the mighty climb
in the Temple, the Pharisees,
How far they fall, how they shatter,
When the shards of their glass houses
crumbles under the weight
of their own hubris, their false righteousness.

====
edited October 3, 2015
A Harsh Mirror – v4

(editing version 2)
edited March 9, 2015
A Harsh Mirror – v3
(merging edits to version 2 and original)
edited June 25, 2014
A Harsh Mirror – v2
November 3, 2006 21:50
A Harsh Mirror

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Couldn’t Stop, Couldn’t Wait – v3

His body was toned,
thin like a runner
wearing shorts, a tank top,
good running shoes;
He was coming toward me
through the village,
passing me on the left,
going to the store.

Something wrong,
his motion awkward
his gait not even, smooth,
his torso contorted;
He was held motionless
as he was running,
moving, in motion,
but something not right.

The right hand raised
up to his ear, cell phone urgently
couldn’t stop to answer
talking on the run
couldn’t wait for the call;
He couldn’t stop running
though he defeating his purpose;
the movement stunted
his important call
as if he wasn’t running at all.

=====
edited October 3, 2015
Couldn’t Stop, Couldn’t Wait – v3

(editing version 2)
edited July 13, 2015
Couldn’t Stop, Couldn’t Wait – v2
August 18, 2010
Couldn’t Stop, Couldn’t Wait
runner on Main Street, Suncook, NH
August 16, 2010

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.